Tree-covered, mixed-use development will create a “green ribbon” in Paris

Amsterdam-based design studio SeARCH just won a competition for plot T10 in the new Paris Rive Gauche district with their design of a tree-covered, mixed-use development. Created in collaboration with Atelier Philéas and LA Architectures, the contemporary structures will cover three adjacent city blocks and cater to a variety of needs, from public housing to commercial use. The three interconnected high-rises are visually united with a “green ribbon,” where a portion of the facade is set back and turned into tree-lined communal spaces.

The competition-winning design comprises three different programs in three buildings, each designed by a different architecture firm. Located next to one of the city’s oldest regions, the T10 plot links the south end of 13th district with the Seine riverbanks. The design follows the competition’s brief to redevelop the plot into a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly area that furthers Paris’ commitment to becoming a more sustainable and green city.

The trio of buildings comprises 55 family apartments, 180 student flats, 75 apartments for middle-income households, the national railway (SNCF) offices, commercial space, and an underground parking lot. SeARCH’s housing block was designed for ICF HABITAT NOVEDIS and comprises a five staggered levels stacked atop a seven-story base. The “green ribbon” cutout connects the building’s two roof gardens on the fifth and seventh levels. The “cut skyline” also allows natural light and ventilation to penetrate the building, provides views, and brings residents closer to nature.